2011 Ghost Bike Memorial Ride

Cyclists raise their bikes in a moment of silence for Diego Rodriguez

You’ve seen the all-white bikes locked to street signs at points around the city, often festooned with flowers, sometimes written messages. These are “Ghost Bikes” – memorials left by friends and family to cyclists who lost their lives on that stretch of road.

Yesterday I joined the 6th annual Memorial Ride and Walk – an event commemorating the cyclists and pedestrians killed by cars in New York in the last year. There were several group rides in different parts of the city, visiting all 13 Ghost Bikes put up in the last year. (13!)

I joined the north Brooklyn ride, which stopped at street memorials for Diego Rodriguez, Timothy (TJ) Campbell, and Jake McDonough. That third stop was especially sobering, as Jack’s family and friends were in attendance. He was 19 when he was struck by a driver trying to pass a slower car on a city street.

Timothy (TJ) Campbell site

It was a solemn procession, as it had to be – but it was heartening to see cyclists of many ages and styles come out for the event – the kind that we all hope will not have to be repeated. Click through to see a few more photos from the day.